Xbox Living

MTV has reported that a new controller has been in the works for the Xbox 360 — a Microsoft version of the Nintendo Wii controller (or Wii-mote).

Microsoft-owned studio Rare is reportedly behind the controller. Like the Wii-mote, the Microsoft controller will feature motion sensing and pointing abilities. The controller will use an analog stick rather than a D-pad, says MTV.

Reportedly, the controller has been in the works since last summer. It wouldn’t surprise me if there were plans on the table well before that. Peter Moore, who was then a Microsoft VP, hinted at the prospect of a new Xbox 360 controller back in the Summer of 2006.

I can only imagine what an Xbox 360 version of the Wii-mote would look like… but here’s a stab at it:

Ok, they did provide a sketch in the article, but I like mine better.

If it’s real, the controller could be aimed at attracting developers of Wii games by making it easier to port Wii games to the Xbox 360.

Of course, Microsoft’s (probably wise) policy of declining to comment on rumors means that we won’t have confirmation until they decide to announce the hardware — assuming its real, and they take it to market.

This is the kind of thing I would have assumed to be an April Fool’s gag, had it not been a little late.  It’s a bit hard to believe that Microsoft would go for something so blatant — the sketch isn’t much different than my mockup.  I can’t imagine them not getting sued if they do this, but then again — they are Microsoft.  We’ll have to wait and see if MTV’s “source” is credible.